Compulsive behaviors occur in cycles and are cumulative; one stress leads to another. Poor choices and emotionally unhealthy situations contribute to muscular tensions, pressures and pain. People commonly use drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, or overeating to avoid the stress and tension in their lives and to escape from feeling pain in the body. Acupressure can break the negative cycle of addiction, since it releases pain, stress, and tension, and heightens body awareness. Instead of the numbing affects of drugs, acupressure increases the circulation, helping to lift the fog of addiction and bringing a
person back to the present moment. There are acupressure points for regaining stability, reducing cravings, for heightening morale, self-esteem, and self-confidence, and for boosting will power - all of which are vital for combating addictions.
All Acupressure Massage techniques, methods and styles use the same ancient acupressure trigger points. They vary in using different
rhythms and pressures for stimulating the acupressure points, using not only the fingers, but also the hands, arms, legs and even feet. Some styles also incorporate other healing techniques. Shiatsu Therapy, the traditional Japanese form of acupressure, can be quite vigorous, with deep pressure applied to each point for three to five seconds. In Jin Shin Acupressure, at least two points are gently held for a minute or more. This style also uses the Extra Meridians or Extraordinary Vessels, which balance the meridians. Tuina Chinese Massage and Thai Massage stimulate the Qi ("key") healing energy using acupressure hand movements, full body stretches, and Chinese massage techniques.
Long known for its ability to alleviate physical pain, the ancient healing art of Acupressure can also relieve emotional pain. From day-to-day pressures to life's most significant trials, emotional stress causes the body to shut down, which keeps negative feelings stuck, resulting in physical ailments and emotional imbalances. Acupressure techniques release this muscular tension and restore the flow of vital energy, making resolution possible. For an in-depth focus on this topic, see Acupressure for Emotional Healing: A Self-Care Guide for Trauma, Stress & Common Emotional Imbalances by Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., with 500 illustrations of emotional healing applications. Acupressure relaxes the tight muscles that result from emotional stress and trauma, which cause the body to contract its muscles and harden, like protective armor, to shield your inner self. For instance, when something frightens you, or someone uptight treats you abrasively, your neck and shoulders may tighten immediately in response. This tension prevents energy from circulating freely in your body, which can lead to various physical and emotional imbalances. If you do not deal with these tensions and resulting afflictions, emotional problems may stay buried, and then resurface at a later time, when they're triggered by some new stress. Most therapies address the cognitive and emotional aspects of trauma, but do not get to the physiological source. Acupressure has an advantage in that it works directly with the body to relieve physical ailments, muscular tension, and the emotional imbalances associated with them. Emotional imbalances and the physical symptoms that accompany them are often the body's response to unresolved issues and events. Someone who witnessed a fatal automobile accident, or an abusive incident, may
live with the memory in the form of recurring nightmares and insomnia or other psychosomatic ailments. If left untreated, they can continue for years. Using acupressure points for today's tension headache, caused by a conflict at work or an argument over homework with one's teenager, may bring old conflicts or memories to the surface during an acupressure session or afterward. To follow up, use acupressure self-care methods, or explore the issues in therapy. Becoming conscious of old memories and bringing them out in the open can lessen their impact. Divorce is another example of a life-changing transition that can cause emotional problems such as anxiety, worry, and depression, and also cause physical symptoms, such as stomachaches, ulcers, irritable bowel problems, and more. Acupressure can help balance these symptoms.
Acupressure massage performed by a therapist can be very effective both as prevention and as a treatment for many health conditions, including headaches, general aches and pains, colds and flu, arthritis, allergies, asthma, nervous tension, menstrual cramps, sinus problems, sprains, tennis elbow, and toothaches, among others. Unlike acupuncture which requires a visit to a professional, acupressure can be performed by a layperson. Acupressure techniques are fairly easy to learn, and have been used to provide quick, cost-free, and effective relief from many symptoms. Acupressure points can also be stimulated to increase energy and feelings of well-being, reduce stress, stimulate the immune system, and alleviate sexual dysfunction.
Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers to gradually press key healing points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago. Using the power and sensitivity of the hand, Acupressure Therapy is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments, and is ideal for self-treatment and preventive health care for boosting the immune system. Acupressure releases tension, increases circulation, reduces pain, and develops spirituality and vibrant health. For a pressure point reference and a self-care guide for common complaints
from A to Z, see Acupressure's Potent Points by Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., with 400 illustrations and over a hundred self-acupressure healing applications.
Acupuncture & Acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but Acupuncture employs needles, while Acupressure uses gentle to firm finger pressure. When these acupressure points are stimulated, they release muscular tension, promote circulation of blood, and enhance the body's life force energy to aid healing. Acupressure therapy can be used to relieve pain, fortify the sexual reproductive system, detoxify the body for greater health and beauty, and tone facial and back muscles.
The Applications of Using Acupressure include relieving pain, balancing body energy, and maintaining good health. Acupressure's
healing touch reduces muscular tension, increases circulation, and enables deep relaxation. By relieving stress, Acupressure Therapy strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness. You can learn self-care applications and pressure point formulas for specific conditions, such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, chronic muscular pain, mental stress, addiction recovery, learning disorders, trauma, emotional imbalances and more. Here are some areas for applying Acupressure effectively.
The Chinese used acupressure points as a beauty treatment for thousands of years. An acupressure beauty treatment enhances muscle tone and increases circulation. The Heavenly Appearance and Facial Beauty acupressure points improve skin condition and the tone of facial muscles and connective tissue. This can lessen the appearance of wrinkles without drugs or surgery. After years of pulling and stretching the skin, the connective tissue is weakened, loosening the skin. Simple finger pressure on the Heavenly Appearance points, along with therapeutic facial exercises, relieves congested
areas and relaxes the muscles. Thus toxins are released and eliminated, which of course benefits your outward appearance. Acupressure points release the flow of life energy, which improves both how you feel as well as how you look. Better Sex Ancient Chinese Sexology practices use the acupressure points to cultivate sexual energy in lovemaking. Acupressure for lovers also fortifies fertility, arousal, and sexual endurance, enhancing sexual pleasure. Lovers have the advantage of stimulating the acupressure points with full body embraces, kisses, and the secrets of touch. Learn special points for heightening spiritual
awareness and the chemistry of your love relationship. The book, Acupressure for Lovers, also provides answers for sexual problems such as inhibited sexual desire, premature ejaculation, impotency, infertility, and sexual frustration through an understanding of where sexual energy gets blocked and what points to use to release it. Achieve deeper sexual communication, spirituality, and learn acupressure techniques to unleash the dynamic force of love. Back Care Acupressure Therapy is highly effective for relieving muscular tension in all areas of the back. Important points are located along either side of the spine and on the upper back. For self back care, lie down on a couple of tennis balls tied in a sock. Many people especially appreciate the release of tightness associated with lower back pain and sciatica. Acupressure, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, and self-acupressure for relieving back pain can also be an effective adjunct to chiropractic treatment. By relaxing and toning the back muscles, Acupressure makes the spinal adjustments easier and more effective, and the chiropractic results last longer. In fact, Acupressure and chiropractic treatments were originally practiced together in ancient China.
Acupressure is often called acupuncture without the needles. Instead of needles, acupressure involves the application of manual pressure (usually with the fingertips) to specific points on the body. According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, the body has vital energy called "chi" or "qi" that flows along invisible lines of energy flow called meridians. There are thought to be at least 14 meridians connecting our organs with other parts of our body. Acupuncture and acupressure points lie on those meridians. If the flow of qi is blocked at any point on a meridian, it's thought to be the
cause of ailments and lead to disease anywhere along the meridian. That's why a practitioner may apply pressure to an acupressure point
in the foot to relieve a headache.
There is no scientific consensus on how acupressure might work. Some theorize that the pressure may promote the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body, called endorphins. Another theory is that the pressure may somehow influence the autonomic nervous system. It involves placing physical pressure, by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices, on different pressure points on the surface of the body (which may be far distant from the symptom, related by what is called the meridian system) to bring about relief through greater balance and circulation of fluids (blood, lymph) and metabolic
energies in the body (heat, qi).
Acupressure is a form of touch therapy that utilizes the principles of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In acupressure, the same points on the body are used as in acupuncture, but are stimulated with finger pressure instead of with the insertion of needles. Acupressure is used to relieve a variety of symptoms and pain.
